Updated

Updated · Fox News · Jun 10

Landon Donovan Works Raising Cane's Inglewood Shift as U.S. Eyes 2026 World Cup Opener

Updated

Updated · Fox News · Jun 10

Landon Donovan Works Raising Cane's Inglewood Shift as U.S. Eyes 2026 World Cup Opener

Q: Beyond winning, what iconic moment must the USMNT create to truly cement soccer's legacy in America?

The USMNT needs a defining World Cup moment on home soil that becomes part of American sports memory: a dramatic, high-stakes goal or performance against a global power that makes even casual fans stop and care. Landon Donovan’s own 2010 winner against Algeria is the clearest model. It mattered not just because it won a game, but because it produced a shared national reaction and gave U.S. soccer an enduring image. Donovan has said success in 2026 should also be measured by “iconic moments” that create millions of new fans, not only by results. For that to happen in 2026, the moment must come in a knockout-stage setting or in a decisive group match with real jeopardy, ideally against a heavyweight opponent. It should feature one of the team’s recognizable faces — Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie or Folarin Balogun — so the play has a human symbol attached to it. In modern sports culture, the image has to be instantly replayable and emotionally clear: a late winner, a comeback, a fearless individual run, or a heroic defensive stand that seals an upset. Just as important, it must show that the United States now belongs in elite soccer, not as a novelty host but as a credible contender. The 1994 World Cup helped launch MLS; a 2026 signature moment could do something bigger by turning soccer from a growing sport into a permanent mainstream one. Winning would matter most, but one unforgettable scene could change the sport’s place in America for a generation.

3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Jun 10

In Inglewood, Landon Donovan took a ceremonial shift at Raising Cane's new flagship, using the appearance to build buzz for the 2026 World Cup in Los Angeles.
SoFi Stadium nearby will host the United States' tournament opener against Paraguay, putting the focus on home-soil expectations for the U.S. men's team.
Donovan said American soccer's standing has changed sharply since he moved to Germany at 17, when U.S. players had little credibility in Europe.
That shift now shows in Americans starring for top European clubs, while Donovan said the current squad is likely feeling both nerves and excitement before 2026.
For Donovan, the new Inglewood development around SoFi and Intuit Dome mirrors a broader rise in U.S. soccer as the country prepares to host the world next summer.